Regular Meeting
September 14, 2009
City Council Chambers
95 Pleasant Street, Gardner, Massachusetts
Members present: Mayor Mark Hawke, Chairman; James S. Boone, Vice Chairman; Carol J. Bailey, Secretary; Patrick Gerry, John LaFreniere, Paul G. Tassone, and Christine Wilson
Others present: Dr. Carol L. Daring, Superintendent; Stephanie Ellis, Student Representative; Terri Hillman, Recording Secretary; Michael A. Hurd, Assistant Superintendent; Catherine Goguen, Business Administrator; Karen Scanlon, Director of Technology; John Salovardos, Special Education Director; Susan Hui, Grants Administrator; Andrew S. Haas, Principal GHS; Joyce Swedberg, Principal ESS; Cherie McComb, Principal HMS; F. Daniel Hill, Principal Waterford Street School; Howard Klash, G.E.A. President; Rebecca Johnson, RN, BSN, School Nurse Leader; Bernard F. Sullivan, Director of Public Health; and other interested persons
Call to Order
Mayor Hawke, Chairman, called the meeting to order at 7 p.m. The meeting opened with a roll call and the pledge of allegiance. The meeting was broadcast live on cable television.
Presentation on Influenza Planning
Bernard Sullivan, Director of Public Health, and Rebecca Johnson, School Nurse Leader, presented information on what Gardner should be aware of regarding seasonal and H1N1 “Swine” flu. They also presented the prevention planning prepared for the Gardner 2009-2010 school year. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education are coordinating efforts to provide information and updates about H1N1 Influenza, Seasonal Influenza and Influenza-like illness.
Both the Board of Health and the School Department will be focused on preventing the spread of the flu. Parents, staff and residents will be kept informed of all scheduled clinics once the vaccine is available. Vaccinations will soon become available but will not be mandatory.
Open Time for General Public
Howard Klash, Athletic Director, told the School Committee that the fall athletic programs are in full swing. He gave an update on some of the scores.
Mayor Hawke said that several residents of Grant Street were in attendance. They are requesting a possible change in a school bus stop for safety reasons. The request has been referred to Mr. Gerry, Chairman of the Transportation Subcommittee.
Presentation of Warrants
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent, the following warrants:
- Warrant #09-49, dated June 4, 2009 in the amount of $193,779.13
- Warrant #09-50, dated June 11, 2009 in the amount of $134,354.69
- Warrant #09-51, dated June 18, 2009 in the amount of $227,875.07
- Warrant #09-52, dated June 25, 2009 in the amount of $291,709.29
- Warrant #09-53, dated June 30, 2009 in the amount of $132,492.07
- Warrant #09-54, dated June 30, 2009 in the amount of $506,261.58
- Warrant #09-55, dated June 30, 2009 in the amount of $203,657.90
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-05, dated July 30, 2009 in the amount of $550,375.47.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-06, dated August 6, 2009 in the amount of $57,528.40.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Note – there was no Warrant #10-07 due to MUNIS Roll Over.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-08, dated August 20, 2009 in the amount of $722,222.69.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Ms. Wilson moved to ratify as recommended by the Finance Subcommittee and the Superintendent Warrant #10-09, dated August 27, 2009 in the amount of $77,431.62.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Approval of Minutes
Regular Meeting – June 8, 2009
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the minutes of the regular School Committee meeting of June 8, 2009 as presented.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Policy Subcommittee Report
Mr. Boone, Chairperson, said that the Policy Subcommittee had not met. There will be a vote on the second reading of policies under Item 1912. These policies were presented for a first reading on June 8, 2009.
Facilities Subcommittee Report
Mr. LaFreniere said that the Facilities Subcommittee met on September 8 at the Elm Street School. Minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee set up a schedule of meeting dates to coincide with touring the schools. The Subcommittee toured ESS and paid particular attention to the chimney that is in need of repair. Mr. O’Brien is getting pricing information on this project in addition to pricing for the kitchen steamer at GHS and the kitchen steamer boiler at GMS. The Subcommittee discussed the National Grid lighting upgrades at GHS, GMS, ESS and WSS that were made over the summer. A few areas remain to be finished.
The current custodial contract between Gardner Public Schools and S. J. Services ends on June 30, 2010. The Subcommittee will be working with the Finance Subcommittee in order to update and revise bid specifications in preparation for bidding on a new contract.
Finance Subcommittee Report
Ms. Wilson, Chairperson, said that the Finance Subcommittee met on August 13 and September 1 and minutes of the meetings were presented. A list of budget reductions as a result of Chapter 70 funding cuts was approved and will be voted on by the full Committee under Item 1917.
Donations to the schools and disposal of surplus equipment were reviewed and will be recommended to the Full Committee: See Items 1914, 1915 and 1916.
Technology Subcommittee Report
Mr. Tassone, Chairperson, said that the Technology Subcommittee met on June 16 and minutes of the meeting were presented. The Subcommittee will recommend to the School Committee to allocate funding toward an e-mail archiving solution contingent upon the development of a document retention policy. Companies and organizations should have a document retention policy that is actively enforced and audited in the event of litigation.
Transportation Subcommittee Report
Mr. Gerry, Chairperson, said that the Transportation Subcommittee met on August 11 and minutes of the meeting were presented. Busing for seventh and eighth grade students has been reinstated. The transportation contract with First Student terminates on June 30, 2010 and the Subcommittee will review the present document before their next meeting to consider updates to the bid specifications.
Report of Superintendent of Schools
Dr. Daring selected two topics for her report: Class of 2010 New Competency Determination Requirements and Caregiver Authorization Affidavits. This year’s high school seniors are subject to the new competency determination requirements and Dr. Daring outlined what students must earn. It is very important that the school track the progress of each student who has not yet met one of the requirements, especially since this is the first year of implementation of the expanded requirements.
Dr. Daring presented the Massachusetts Caregiver Authorization Affidavit. This Authorization is important because it involves decision-making by parties on behalf of minor children who are not living with their parent or legal guardian.
G.E.A. President
Howard Klash, G.E.A. President, said that schools opened smoothly. He thanked the School Committee on behalf of the G.E.A. members for keeping all school positions for the 2009-2010 school year.
Student Advisory Board
Stephanie Ellis, the new student representative to the School Committee, was introduced. Stephanie is a senior, senior class treasurer, a member of the National Honors Society, participates in several clubs, and is captain of the Cross Country, Indoor and Outdoor track teams. She plans to study nursing in college next year.
She said that the start of school and the transition into a new year went smoothly. She also reported on fall sports and upcoming school events.
OLD BUSINESS
Item 1905 – Oral Reports from Administration
Ms. Rebecca Johnson, RN, BSN, School Nurse Leader, presented the Influenza Prevention Planning at the start of the meeting. Bernard Sullivan, Board of Health Director, participated in the presentation.
Item 1906– K-12 Technology Update
The Technology Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on September 11. Ms. Scanlon was present to answer questions.
Item 1907 – Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update
The Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment Update was e-mailed to School Committee members on September 11. Mr. Hurd was present to answer questions.
Item 1908 - Special Education Update
The Special Education update was e-mailed to School Committee members on September 11. Mr. Salovardos was present to answer questions.
Item 1909– Business Administrator’s Update
The Business Administrator’s report was e-mailed to School Committee members on September 11. Ms. Goguen was present to answer questions.
Item 1910 – Grants Administrator’s Update
The Grants Administrator’s update was e-mailed to School Committee members on September 11. Mrs. Hui was present to answer questions.
NEW BUSINESS
Item 1911 – Introduction of Student Representative to the School Committee
Please see Student Advisory Board report.
Item 1912 – Second Reading of Policies
Mr. Boone moved to accept the following policies for a second reading:
- Policy IJNDB-R, Acceptable Use Policy – Technology, Administrative Procedures for Implementation
- Policy JCC, Intra-District School Choice
- Policy BDEE, Athletic Council
- Policy BDEE-R Athletic Council Procedures
- Policy JIBA, Student Representative to the Gardner School Committee
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Mr. Boone moved to appoint Mr. Tassone to be the third member of the Athletic Council in accordance with Policy BDEE.
Seconded by Mr. LaFreniere. Vote – so voted.
Item 1913 – Approval of School Improvement Plan – Gardner High School (Tabled)
Mr. Boone moved to approve the Gardner High School Improvement Plan.
Mrs. Bailey moved to table Item 1913 – Approval of School Improvement Plan – Gardner High School – until the next School Committee meeting.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1914 – Declaration of Surplus Property
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee to declare the following items as surplus property and turn them over to the City of Gardner: Central Office – 2 typewriters, 2 adding machines; Gardner High School – big screen TV, 7 32’ TV’s , 5 drawers full of small parts, 3 VCR’s, 36 lamps, and 7 film strip projectors; Gardner Middle School – 21 Abolite lamps; and Elm Street School – 12 Miller lamps.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1915 – Acceptance of Donation
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee and accept a monetary donation to the Gardner High School Library from Elizabeth Phelan in memory of Leonard J. d’Etremont, Class of 1945.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1916 – Acceptance of Donation
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee to accept a $1,000 donation from Hannaford to Gardner High School.
Seconded by Mr. Tassone. Vote – so voted.
Item 1917 – FY 2010 Budget Reductions
Ms. Wilson moved to approve the recommendation of the Finance Subcommittee to make the following reductions in the amount of $415,720 to balance the FY2010 Budget:
- $7,593 from sick leave buyback
- $95,093 from savings on hiring year-to-date
- $86,656 from open positions that will not be filled
- $28,815 from savings on workbooks purchased in advance
- $19,076 from savings on purchase of oil
- $73,595 from FY09 unused indirect costs
- $20,000 from e-rate account to fund technology purchases
- $14,084 from eliminating district reserve under other repairs
- $28,447 Prospect St. school expenses – charge to school Building Use
- $20,439 from savings in General Supplies
- $12,000 from savings in Custodial Supplies
- $9,922 from Unallocated FY09 Carryover funds to purchase FY10 Office Budgeted Office Supplies and Textbooks.
Seconded by Mr. Boone. Vote – so voted.
Final Comments
All School Committee members and Mayor Hawke welcomed Stephanie Ellis, the new Student Representative to the School Committee.
Mrs. Bailey welcomed the students back especially the new freshmen. She encouraged all staff to give support to the students.
Ms. Wilson welcomed back all staff and students.
Mr. Tassone asked parents to get involved with the schools and to keep their children involved.
Mr. Gerry welcomed everyone back to school.
Mr. LaFreniere welcomed staff and students back to school. He hoped that more parents would get involved in the PTO’s. He thanked Dr. Daring and Ms. Goguen for their efforts to restore busing to the Middle School.
Mr. Boone hopes that all the sports programs will have a great fall season. He congratulated Dr. Daring and her staff for all the work put in during the summer months – busing, technology upgrades, cleaning up the buildings, etc.
Mayor Hawke visited all the schools on opening day. He commented on the busing being restored to the Middle School.
ADJOURNMENT
Mr. Boone moved to adjourn.
Seconded by Ms. Wilson. Vote – so voted.
The meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
Carol J. Bailey, Secretary
T. Hillman, Recording Secretary
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